The World of Manolo @ Liberty (London, UK)

Leave it to Liberty, my favorite London department store, to come up with something special for last week's Fashion's Night Out. Last year they gave us the wonderful Hermès collaboration and this time around, the same space (located where the scarf room is usually housed), was transformed into a Manolo Blahnik pop-up store... though the man himself dislikes that term. The joint venture included Blahnik's own Liberty print designs, which adorned a few limited edition stilettos and a pair of flats. In addition, Liberty created a few more prints based on Blahnik's illustrations - all of which could be found on various other items including notebooks, ties, scarves, totes and even cushions.

Some of the exclusive Manolo Blahnik shoes featuring Liberty prints (images: Liberty).

Three of the new Liberty prints based on Blahnik's illustrations. The actual fabric is for sale as well (images: Liberty).

Though I'm generally not what one would call a Manolo aficionado - many of his shoes are a tad too dainty for my liking - I've always been quite fond of his sketches. And since I rarely need an excuse to visit Liberty, I took the opportunity the check out 'The World of Manolo' in the process. According to the designer, who currently resides in the UK “it’s the first time I’ve done anything like it and I’m a bit terrified, but I’m doing it because I love this building and I’ve been using Liberty prints forever” adding that “I have known about Liberty since I was a young boy. My mother used to order Tana Lawn fabric and make us outfits. The store is so beautiful and its history is so rich. “

View of the retail space (left), the Liberty zebra sporting an exclusive scarf and one of the Manolo for Liberty shoes (right).

The small space on the ground floor had been transformed into what resembled an English garden, with the walls painted in light green and paper cut-outs of leaves and other foliage in the same shade forming archways along the room. The shoes themselves were perched on stands near the walls, like exotic birds. It's the first time any of Blahnik's pieces have been made available outside his UK flagship and while all the exclusive Liberty shoes were prominently displayed, many of the FW10 creations were featured as well, including the coveted Mary Jane heels, the furry Arctic boots or the more classic Serderarby pumps.

Scarves in shelves (left and lower right) and FW10 boots on display (top right).

Cute accessories included cushions, cards and totes. And the famous blue shoe reinvented as a flat for FW10 (lower left. Top right image: Disneyrollergirl).

While plenty of shoppers were going crazy with the shoes, leaving bored boyfriends and husbands behind on the comfortable patchwork couches, most girls (including yours truly) were drawn towards the table near the cash desk which displayed the scarves, scented candles, lavender pouches, wrapping paper, greeting cards, ties, notebooks and umbrellas to name a few - all featuring the adorable illustrated shoe prints. Prices started as low as £5.95 for the handkerchiefs, while items such as the cushions and silk scarves would set you back a little more. All accessories however are definitely a cheaper alternative to the footwear. Come Christmas time, Blahnik will also be curating Liberty's store windows with an emphasis on an 'old-fashioned English feel'.

The accessories table from afar (left) featuring more tempting items, such as the ties and more scarves (lower right image: Disneyrollergirl).

Fur boots, lavender pouches, wrapping paper, cards and more pretty shoes (far right images: Disneyrollergirl).

Those lucky enough to have made it to Liberty's FNO event, where the pop-up-store was first unveiled, had a chance to meet Blahnik in person, who was on hand to sign just about anything. If you're in town next month, you're in luck, since he'll be back in-store (on October 23) to sign copies of his new book 'Manolo's New Shoes'. Even if you don't make it to any event, 'the World of Manolo' will be open for the next three months, so there's still plenty of time to get your hands on one of the cute items or exclusive shoes. And if you're not heading to London anytime soon, fear not - the majority of these pieces are now available from Liberty's online store here.

I couldn't get enough of those accessories... and you can even inhale a Manolo scent thanks to the exclusive candles (lower right image: Disneyrollergirl).

A selection of the accessories such as the scarves (top left, lower center), umbrella, bow tie, lavender pouch, mini cake and even a chocolate shoe (lower right). All images taken from Liberty's online store.

Address: Great Marlborough Street, London W1B 5AH
Opening Hrs: Mon-Sat: 10:00-21:00, Sun: 12:00-18:00
Liberty Homepage & Online Shop